marble
UK: ˈmɑːb(ə)l | US: ˈmɑːrb(ə)l
n. 1. A hard, crystalline metamorphic rock used in sculpture and architecture.
n. 2. A small ball of glass or stone used in children's games.
adj. 3. Made of or resembling marble.
marble = mar<shining> + ble<suffix>
- mar derives from Greek marmaros (shining stone), via Latin marmor.
- ble is an English suffix used to form nouns (no standalone meaning).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek marmaros, meaning "shining stone," reflecting marble’s polished, lustrous quality. Latin adopted it as marmor, which Old French shortened to marbre. Middle English then modified it to marble, retaining the core idea of a glossy, durable stone. The game sense (small ball) emerged from the material’s common use for toys.
The Taj Mahal is clad in pristine white marble.
She collected colorful marbles as a child.
The marble floor gleamed under the chandelier.
Artists prize Carrara marble for its purity.
He rolled a marble across the tiled hallway.